By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF bigwigs in Masvingo, who were aligned to the embattled former war veterans’ leader Victor Matemadanda before his sacking as the party’s political commissar, are now in a state of uncertainty.

Sources close to the matter revealed that many had positioned themselves for the 2023 harmonised elections with the blessing of the former Defence and War Veterans Welfare deputy minister after they allegedly bribed their way for consideration as parliamentary candidates.

According to sources, Zanu-PF Chiredzi district chairperson Siyaki Munhungehama was promised Chiredzi north, provincial commissar Jevas Masosota had chosen Chiredzi East, provincial secretary for finance Farai Musikavanhu wanted to retain his Chiredzi West constituency.

Masvingo Provincial affairs minister Ezra Chadzamira was allegedly promised that despite allegations of corruption levelled against him, his position was guaranteed, come 2023.

Munhungehama, however, denied the allegations.

“When we met with Matemadanda, we never discussed such issues. I personally never gave him anything. Those allegations are unfounded and malicious. I don’t know where all that is coming from. It remains a mystery to me,” he said.

Zanu-PF national spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo referred all questions to Matemadanda.

“Why don’t you talk to Matemadanda? I think he is in a better position to tell what really happened. I cannot comment on that,” he said.

Matemadanda was livid when reached for comment, saying if anyone felt he committed a crime, they should report him to the police.

“Why do you call if you have heard that I was given a cow or a bull? Go and report me to the police,” Matemadanda said curtly before dropping the call.

Chadzamira, Musikavanhu and Masosota could not be reached for comment on their mobile phones.

Zanu-PF recently relieved Matemadanda of his commissariat duties over allegations of incompetence and unwittingly disclosing Zanu-PF’s involvement in the decimation of the opposition MDC Alliance.

-Newsday

pic.twitter.com/WbzqdbOcof

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) April 8, 2021

By Florence Muzekenyi- This is a cry for help, attention, assistance on behalf of the Glenview residents, Glenview 3 First Drive, in particular.

We are in living in deplorable standards due to overflowing raw sewer that has become a sight in almost the whole of First Drive.

From 18th March 2021, I have personally tried to engage the local municipality of Glenview through the foreman Mr Rwakatiwana to lodge our complaint of overflowing sewer but to no avail. The endless promises that they will come to fix the problem have remained that, promises and nothing else.

Since 18th March 2021, we have not been able to use our outside toilet or sink due to the sewer that is gushing out from both the toilet pan and the sink drain. We had been using the inside toilet until yesterday when it also filled up and burst in our absence only to find the toilet, passage, and an adjacent bedroom filled with flowing sewer.

This recent outcome has rendered my family ‘toiletless’. My situation is just a glimpse of what other families in my community are going through, failing to access toilets. I dread to think what means other families who have no alternative toilets have been resorting to all this while.

The situation in Glenview is a ticking time bomb, another cholera and/ or typhoid outbreak is certainly looming.

If there is anyone out there who can help our situation, may you please contact us or just visit Glenview especially the road that faces the 2 High schools.

See video in the link below that was taken recently from my house.  https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4025406537480835&id=105155067833411

By Collen Kajokoto

If ever I had time

To talk of time,

This moment in time,

With a thorned tongue

I declare it the time

To talk of time .

I decline time

And anything against time

I pen about a time

When there was no time,

A timeless time ,

Angelic time in Mother’s womb,

I knew then no adversary,

I knew no scarfed crocodiles

In our Harare dry taps.

Now I fear the park bench

Lest I sit on the crocodile mouth

I’m against war time

And anything against war

For war brings peace 

To the Oppressed!

** The author is a Harare poet and human rights defender

By A Correspondent- Government has removed Value Added Tax (VAT) payable on selected goods and services in the tourism sector in an effort to promote domestic tourism and catapult the industry back to its hey days.

The reprieve will be in place for the next 12 months and is expected to assist the sector to recover from the adverse effects of Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Various stakeholders in the tourism industry have been calling for a discount or zero rating on VAT to be able to operate arguing that the domestic market was different from the traditional international market. Hoteliers and other tourism service providers were forced to close, leaving thousands of workers jobless.

The VAT reprieve is contained in the Statutory Instrument 87 of 2021 gazetted by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube as part of measures to facilitate vibrant domestic tourism.

“It is hereby notified that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development has in terms of Section 78 of the Value Added Tax Act made the following regulations, which may be cited as Value Added Tax (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (No. 56), that, supply of the following services to domestic tourists for a period of twelve months from date of publication,” read part of the new S.I.

The selected goods and services include food and beverages served at place of accommodation, shuttle services, car rental services, marine and ferry services, sport fishing, safari operations, tourism and exploring national museums and monuments, recreational activities provided by companies registered with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.

The SI defines a domestic tourist as a person who visits but does not sleep at the place or in the area visited. In January last year, the Treasury also suspended Customs and Excise duty payable on specified motor vehicles imported by safari operators for a period of 24 months to December 2021 through SI 276 of 2019.

This also included suspension of duty on selected powdered milk and specified alcoholic beverages also imported by the tourism sector. Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe (TBCZ) chief executive, Mr Paul Matamisa, welcomed the development saying it will result in reduced costs for domestic tourists, which could boost volumes.

The Government prioritises the recovery of the tourism sector hence the $500 million Tourism Support Fund introduced by the Treasury last year to guarantee tourism players’ access to loans from banks. This was part of an $18 billion Economic Recovery and Stimulus Package availed by Government.

Of this package, a total of $20 million was meant to provide seed capital to kick-start a Tourism Revolving Fund while Value Added Tax (VAT) payable by tourists for accommodation and visitor services at 14,5 percent, was waived.

Players in the tourism industry had appealed to the Government for a 50 percent slash of permits and licence fees so as to capacitate the industry to revive operations. They cited VAT as one of the contentious issues as they felt the tax was too high and made Zimbabwe as a destination expensive.

The just ended Easter holiday saw the industry recording about 20 percent bookings especially on the accommodation side.-statemedia

https://youtu.be/-RR4z3LTqT0

High Court judge Justice Philda Muzofa has thrown out an application by the MDC Alliance which sought to bar the government from disbursing funds to the main MDC led by Douglas Mwonzora under the Political Parties Finance Act.  

The MDC Alliance had approached the court arguing that Mwonzora had no right to the political funds under the Act as his formation had not participated in the 2018 harmonised elections.

In its application, the MDC Alliance had cited Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube and the Mwonzora group as respondents.   

The party had also claimed that they had filed the lawsuit out of fear that the Treasury would disburse $30 million to Mwonzora and his formation under the Act as they had previously done last year.

The MDC, through their lawyer Lovemore Madhuku, had challenged the application, arguing that the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance had no right to the political funds as the party that had participated in the elections and the current one were different.

“It was further submitted that in its affidavit, the applicant described itself as a legal persona with the capacity to sue and be sued. A constitution was attached to confirm the position stated in the founding affidavit. The constitution is undated.

“The party that contested in the 2018 elections had no constitution and it is the party that appeared before the court in MDC Alliance and two others versus Douglas Mwonzora and five others.  

“No constitution was produced before the court. If this applicant has a constitution, then it is not the party that contested in the 2018 harmonised elections and is out of court,” Madhuku had averred.  

In delivering her judgment, Justice Muzofa noted that the party was bound by the decision previously made by Justice Tawanda Chitapi in May last year and, therefore, lacked the legal capacity to appear before the court.

-Daily News

By A Correspondent- A bribe-taking Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer Sergeant Seventeen Patrol (34) based at ZRP Nyamapanda station has been arrested for abuse of office charges after he allegedly demanded US$300 from a Covid-19 violator.

According to the charge sheet seen by Bulawayo24.com, on the 25th day of December last year, at around 2200 hours, the Complainant was operating his business violating Covid 19 Regulations. On that same night, Sergeant Personal led a team of Police members from Kotwa post that were on patrol at Nyamureka Business Centre.

The Police patrol team then arrived at the complainant’s premises and dispersed all patrons who were drinking beer and he was made to close the bar.

“The next day Sergeant Seventeen and his patrol team reported at the complainant’s premises in order to arrest him for the above-mentioned offence.

The police patrol team took all the liquor from the bar and was conveyed to Kotwa Post and the complainant was made to pay ZW$500.00 fine.”

“On the 31st day of December 2020, for the second time Complainant violated Covid 19 regulations by operating his bar.

On the 3rd day of April 2021, the accused person invited the Complainant at Kotwa Post to answer allegations of violating Covid 19 regulations.

The accused person then recorded a Warned and Cautioned Statement from complainant and later on accused informed complainant that If he wished for the case to be swept down the carpet he must bring US$300-00 as bribe money.”

“On the 4th day of April 2021, the accused received US$20-00 from the Complainant as bribe but the accused kept on insisting that Complainant must pay US$300-00 as bribe money. On the 6th day of April 2021, Complainant proceeded to Police General Headquarters, Harare Internal Investigations and lodged his complaint.”

“On the 7th day of April 2021, Police General Headquarters initiated a trap to that effect. A team of five investigators led by Chief Inspector William Zogwa and in the company of the Complainant went at Kotwa Business Centre, Mudzi where the accused received US$300-00 trap money from the complainant.

Upon receiving trap money from the Complainant, the accused was subsequently arrested by internal investigations team. The accused was then taken to ZRP Nyamapanda where he was handed over to CID Nyamapanda for further management.”

The accused is being charged for Contravening Section 174 of Criminal law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23 “Criminal Abuse of Office”. ZRP Nyamapanda C.R. 18/04/21 refers.

The accused is currently detained at ZRP Nyamapanda pending further investigations. He is expected to appear at court on today 08 April, 2021.-Byo24

By A Correspondent| Sources from the Chikurubi cells where Tafadzwa Shamba, the self confessed murderer of the 7 year old, Tapiwa Makore, is, have leaked information that he has been poisoned in prison and is currently seriously ill.

‘The inmate is being denied hospital treatment with the aim to let him die for the murder case to lose weight,’ a Makore family source told ZimEye.

The development comes as the 7 year old’s remains were buried without the skull, following a series of open-blunders by both the police and prosecutors.

Tapiwa was found murdered and his body dismembered on the 17th September last year, and Shamba is the one who has provided the clearest evidence of how the killing was done, and yet prosecutors suddenly conceded to claims that his witness statement is not credible due to alleged mental illness.

More problems emerge from some family members, including the family spokesperson Beaulah Musupiye who ignored video and audio evidence supplied by ZimEye of police officers receiving bribes in at the house of another suspect, Thanks Makore in Damafalls, Harare.

ZimEye was at the time of writing engaging prison bosses over the poisoning case.

• More to follow…

ZimEye will be livestreaming a presser by the Accountability lab set to be held at the Media Centre in Harare.

Below is the presser announcement by the organisation:

Accountability Lab Zimbabwe will be hosting a press conference to launch the Integrity Icon Zimbabwe, a global campaign to find, celebrate and connect honest public servants.

The campaign aims to celebrate individuals who go beyond the call of duty, build support for their efforts to realise a collective societal shift towards ethical conduct and greater accountability.

Integrity Icon Zimbabwe is an initiative of Accountability Lab Zimbabwe, a network lab established in 2020.

For more information about the campaign visit http://integrityicon.org

VIDEO LOADING BELOW …

Refresh this page for latest details.

By A Correspondent- A 45 year old Epworth  man who had gone for an Easter holiday in Mazowe allegedly drowned at Doxford dam after taking a bath  in Mazowe on Sunday.

Charles Rupanga of house number 3116 Overspill Epworth went to the dam to bath and began to swim after taking a bath.

He swam and went to climb a tree which was on the middle of the dam before trying to swim back to the other side of the dam where his friend Godfrey Mharadzi (38) was standing and watching him swim.

Acting Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Naison Dhliwayo confirmed the case. 

The body was subsquently retrieved by police subaqua.

Police warned people to desist from playing from water bodies in case they get attacked by dangerous reptiles.

“People should desist from playing in water bodies least they get attacked by dangerous reptiles or drown as in this case,” Dhliwayo said.

Byo24

By A Correspondent- The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has warned employees representatives of the milling industry that their threats to embark on a nationwide strike is illegal and will cripple the industry which is already reeling under the devastating impact of Covid 19.

This comes after representatives of the milling industry threatened to down tools tomorrow citing poor remuneration after negotiations for a salary adjustment stalled.

In a statement dated April 6,the representatives said:

“We further put you as employers  and principals of the  Industry on notice that if the impasse is not resolved on or before Tomorrow we are left with no option but to mobilize for massive demonstration at your plants both in Harare and Bulawayo. 
“These demonstrations  will start at National Foods and proceed to Blue Ribbons Foods,  Agri Foods,” part of the statement reads.

The cited companies where the demonstrations are set to take place are some of the country’s largest grain milling firms.

But GMAZ, through its Chaiperson Tafadzwa Musasara cautioned that all negotiation channels had not yet been exhausted and embarking on a nation wide strike would bleed the sector,which is batttling to  stay afloat in the midst of a devastating Covid 19 pandemic that has rattled the global economy.

“The principal is confused as to the intention of your letter, and will be happy to get clarity on the same if you so desire,” GMAZ response dated April 6 reads.

“The confusion arises from the fact that on one hand, you claim to engage the principal for a progressive discussion and deliberation of the matter yet on the other hand you threaten a demonstration in violation of the labour Act which compels you to provide a 14 day notice coupled with sufficient cause for your need to take up the collective job action.”

GMAZ has over the decades ensured that Zimbabwe’s grain requirements are sustained through periodic grain imports.Since government declared a national lockdown due to the novel Corona virus,the milling Industry has been designated essential service provider.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Wife to the late evangelist Reverend Chiweshe, Mbuya Chwieshe has died.

Mbuya Chiweshe died this morning in Concession, Mazowe.

The development was revealed by AFM in Zimbabwe Media which said:

“It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing of Mbuya Chiweshe the wife to the late Rev Chiweshe this morning in Concession, Mazowe District.

The late Evangelist Mbuya Chiweshe was pastoring at Mt Carmel Assembly, Chitungwiza East Province.

Her rich history in AFM is unquestionable and indeed AFM in Zimbabwe has lost a mighty woman of God.

Funeral updates will follow as we receive more information

May her soul rest in peace.”

By A Correspondent- Police had to be called in to disperse agitated MDC Alliance supporters in Harare yesterday, after political activist Makomborero Haruzivishe was sentenced to an effective 14 months in prison for inciting public violence.

This comes as political tension is rising again in the country, amid fresh fears of violence as a reeling MDC Alliance feels the pressure on new fronts, including the threat of the coalition losing its name.

The sentencing of Haruzivishe witnessed rowdy scenes involving MDC Alliance supporters who had thronged Harare Magistrates’ Court in solidarity with the youthful activist — leading to clashes that left one freelance photojournalist, Sam Takawira, injured after he was caught up in the melee as he was filming proceedings.

Five activists, including Vongai Tome and Ngoni Dzapfumba, were subsequently arrested.

Elsewhere in Harare’s Central Business District, police maintained a strong presence, including mounting roadblocks which were jointly manned by other security agents.

National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi told the Daily News that law enforcement agents were on high alert and on the lookout for trouble makers bent on causing chaos.

“We call upon citizens to respect the country’s Covid-19 regulations. It is disheartening to note that people are taking Covid-19 for granted despite the evidence we have that it is real.

“We have arrested five political activists who violated Covid-19 regulations and they are currently in police custody at Harare Central Police Station.

“Anyone who is wont to cause chaos and mayhem will be dealt with severely in terms of the country’s laws,” Nyathi said.

Earlier, magistrate Judith Taruvinga had sentenced Haruzivishe — a former student leader who was answering to allegations of inciting public violence and resisting arrest — amid the tense atmosphere.

Haruzivishe was slapped with a 24-month prison term on the public violence incitement charge, but the court suspended 10 months on condition of good behaviour.

He was also slapped with 12 months imprisonment for resisting arrest, of which six months were set aside. However, Taruvinga said both sentences would run concurrently.

The court said although Haruzivishe was a first offender, his actions had resulted in turmoil in the capital.

The State, arguing in aggravation, said public violence leads to destruction of property, injury and death of people — and thus needed to be condemned.

Haruzivishe’s lawyer had called for a non-custodial sentence, saying the degree of violence from his alleged actions had not been ascertained.

The court heard that on February 5 last year, police were on a blitz against vendors in Harare when Haruzvishe started mobilising the public — trying to make them revolt against law enforcement agents.

He is said to have started throwing stones at the police and their vehicle. One of the cops tried to arrest him, but he resisted — only being overpowered later when other officers joined in.

Haruzivishe has been in custody after his bail was revoked, after the court ruled that he had willfully defaulted attending court.

The activist has also been in custody on kidnapping allegations — after he was accused of conniving with others in locking in employees of Impala car rental company in the Harare city centre while protesting the arrest of colleague Takudzwa Ngadziore.

Addressing the media outside the court soon after Haruzivishe had been sentenced, MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere described the judgement as unconstitutional and an abuse of the rule of law.

However, she was not able to finish her address as police arrived to disperse the gathering, saying people were violating Covid-19 regulations.

The under pressure MDC Alliance has been accusing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of clamping down on dissenting voices in the country on trumped up charges.

In a statement ahead of Haruzivishe’s sentencing, the coalition’s welfare secretary, Maureen Kademaunga, said Haruzivishe and other activists were being targeted because of their political beliefs.

“We make an urgent call for international human rights organisations to recognise the status of political prisoners for Haruzivishe, (Cecelia) Chimbiri, (Joanna) Mamombe, Tinashe Bwanaisa, Rakeshi Marufu, Collin Paison, Tafara Mafunde, Farai Chidziva and Trust Nyamado.

“We call on the government for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience and the nullification of their charges which are clearly punitive measures against the peaceful exercise of their rights.

“We call upon the United Nations to launch an urgent, thorough, impartial and effective investigation into the abduction and torture of Cecelia Chimbiri, Joanna Mamombe and Netsai Marova.

“This is an outstanding criminal act of injustice which has also become the repeated arbitrary imprisonment of the three,” Kademaunga said.

-Dailynews

By A Correspondent- Three machete wielding robbers allegedly pounced on a Mt Darwin man  on Sunday and robbed him of his US$900.

Paul Gata (40) was assaulted with machetes all over the body by the unknown suspects when he was at the fireplace around 1am on the fateful day

Acting Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Naison Dhliwayo confirmed the case saying robbery cases are spiraling in the province.

“Cases of robbery are mushrooming in the province as such we are hunting for three machete wielding robbers who pounced on Gata and robbed him of his wallet,” Dhliwayo said.

Last week a female  artisanal miner in Shamva was also robbed of her US$3500 at her house by three armed robbers who are still at large.

Police warned people to tighten their security in their homes to avoid robbers from breaking in.

By A Correspondent- High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi has released on bail a suspected armed robber, Brian Mubaiwa, accused of robbing a Chinese national of gold worth US$50 000.

Justice Chitapi granted Mubaiwa $10 000 bail after noting that the State did not have a strong case against the 47-year-old.

Mubaiwa, together with his co-accused Gift Moffat, had been remanded in custody by the Harare Magistrates’ Courts on February 8.

This was after they were arrested for allegedly storming Zhang Guanghui’s home on February 2.

The duo, who were part of a five-member gang that was allegedly armed with two pistons and a pair of catapults, jumped over the precast wall surrounding the house and manhandled Zhang and five other occupants.

The gang reportedly tied Zhang up with cables and assaulted him before escaping with 600 grammes of gold as well as valuables worth US$50 000.

In delivering his judgment, Justice Chitapi said the prosecution had failed to present an open and shut case to convince him to deny Mubaiwa bail.

“In weighing the interest of justice against the right of the applicant to his personal freedom, I am inclined in favour of granting bail.  

“I do appreciate that the offence is serious. However, the circumstances of each case will determine how the seriousness of the offence is likely to impact on the risk of the applicant absconding.

“The State case is not open and shut, if one considers the allegations made and the evidence said to be available, a conviction is not given.  

“The interest of justice will be served if bail is granted and the ensuing order is made. The applicant is granted bail. He shall deposit $10 000 with the Clerk of Court at the Harare, Magistrates’ Courts,” Justice Chitapi ruled.

He also noted that the fear expressed by the prosecution that Mubaiwa would flee from justice was unnecessary as he had proven to be of fixed abode.

“The applicant does not possess any travelling documents. He is just a peasant farmer with no assets which can sustain him were he to be minded to flee the jurisdiction of the court.  

“He offered to report at Guruve Police Station as a check mechanism to ensure his continued availability,” Justice Chitapi added.

-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- Former Health Minister David Parirenyatwa, facing charges of criminal abuse of office, yesterday lost his bid to be removed from remand after the court dismissed his application, saying no one was to blame for the delay in continuation of his trial.

Parirenyatwa, through his lawyer Mr Innocent Chingarande, had argued that he had come to court 10 times without being tried and that these delays in trial were violating his right to a fair trial within a reasonable period.

“He is a respectable member of the society who can be summoned back to court at any time,” argued the lawyer. The circumstances of this matter are that he be tried within reasonable period. He cannot be punished to come to court and only be remanded,” he said.

The State led by Mr Brian Vito told the court that the prosecution was ready for the trial, but magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo, was preparing to travel to South Africa to seek medical attention.

Indications were that Mr Makomo will be back at work sometime mid next month.

“Even if the trial magistrate was here, the defence was not ready for trial as the accused person’s lawyer of choice is not available.

In his ruling, magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje, said it was difficult for Parirenyatwa to place blame on one part as there were a number of factors that contributed, including the national Covid-19 lockdown.

Mr Mambanje said summoning Parirenyatwa to court at will, rather than setting the dates for his return to court under the remand process, would result in a cumbersome process that can be avoided by remanding the matter to the date when Mr Makomo is expected to be back at work.

“Even if the trial magistrate was here, it was not going to continue because of absence of accused person’s legal practitioner of choice.

“The State confirmed that the magistrate will be available and the sick leave is not indefinite. Summons will result in a cumbersome process that will result in the prejudice in the administration of justice,” he said.

Mr Mambanje remanded Parirenyatwa to May 14 when Mr Makomo is expected to be back at work.

Parirenyatwa allegedly ordered NatPharm board chairman George Washaya to terminate Flora Nancy Sifeku’s contract as managing director, saying he required her services at the ministry’s headquarters in Harare.

He is also alleged to have directed Washaya to appoint Newman Madzikwa as acting NatPharm MD with effect from June 1, 2018. It is alleged Parirenyatwa showed favour to Mr Newman Madzikwa, who had once been sacked from the company for selling donated drugs.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Vice president Dr Costantino Chiwenga is expected to commission a mobile network booster in Binga on Saturday, a development that is expected to open up the district to investment.

There is limited access to many services in Binga while mobile and road network is a challenge.

The district relies on radio from neighbouring Zambia thereby exposing the community to anti-government propaganda.

Since independence Government has been working on improving citizens’ access to services hence people in many areas are now accessing Government services online.

A broadcasting transmitter is being constructed near Manjolo Business Centre to increase the district’s access to radio and tv while the roll-out of mobile phone base stations will also improve the communities’ access to information.

On Saturday VP Chiwenga will commission a booster constructed by NetOne in Sianzyundu area.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo said the whole province is poised for greater heights with various development projects being undertaken by the Second Republic and its development partners.

“The VP will commission a NetOne booster on Saturday and we are excited as a province because this puts us on the radar. This will go a long way in enhancing development in our province as all programmes will now be easy to manage even without driving to the site as we can link up with officers on the ground,” said Minister Moyo.

He said improving mobile network connectivity will enhance e-learning and research as well as expose local youths to job opportunities.

“Children will now be able to research and access quality education because of availability of mobile and internet services since learning is now done online. Those seeking jobs can also take advantage of the services since job opportunities are also posted there.

“We have been making noise about this since the coming in of the New Dispensation. The community has been exposed to radio from Zambia while most places have no network. We are therefore elated as a province that the New Dispensation has heard our concerns,” said Minister Moyo.

He said his office had engaged mobile phone operators to improve network coverage across the province especially in Binga, Hwange, Nkayi, Bubi and Tsholotsho where most communities have no network.

The minister said he is waiting to be given a list of similar projects where network base stations are being built across the province.

The Second Republic has been commissioning community information centres countrywide to enhance network coverage which is key to development.

-statemedia

By James Gwati-Mutare twin sisters who have been acquitted on charges of contravening lockdown regulations Precious and Priviledge Gwatidzo, said they were denied access to sanitary wear by the police when they were arrested.

Precious and Priviledge aged 30 years, had been on trial since 7 December 2020 before Magistrate Audrey Muzhingi after they were arrested by some Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on 12 April 2020 in Mutare’s Dangamvura high-density suburb and accused of violating some national lockdown regulations when they were found outside their home instead of confining themselves to their residences.

While detained by ZRP officers, Precious and Priviledge were harassed and denied access to sanitary wear.

During trial, prosecutor Chris Munyuki told Magistrate Muzhingi that ZRP officers who were on patrol enforcing the national lockdown regulations which restricted unnecessary movement of people except those exempted, intercepted the twin sisters who reportedly failed to produce some exemption letters authorising them to be in Dangamvura suburb.

Munyuki claimed that Precious and Priviledge had acted unlawfully by failing to produce exemption letters to ZRP officers.

But in their defence, Precious and Priviledge, who were represented by Moses Chikomo of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), argued that it was essential for them to move around sourcing for some prescribed medication at a pharmacy for their grandmother, who was chronically ill, hence they were exempted from confining themselves at their residence.

The twin sisters also argued that when they were arrested by ZRP officers they had in their possession a supporting letter from their local Councillor confirming that they had an ailing member of the family who needed urgent medication.

On Tuesday, Magistrate Muzhingi found Precious and Priviledge not guilty and acquitted them.

Earlier on in July 2020, Mutare Magistrate Sheila Nazombe overturned the conviction of Precious and Priviledge after Chikomo successfully challenged the decision by some ZRP members who ordered them to pay RTGS$500 each as fine for unnecessary movement during the national lockdown period.

In her ruling, Magistrate Nazombe stated that she was satisfied that the plea of guilty entered by Precious and Priviledge when they were arrested in April 2020 was equivocal.

Magistrate Nazombe then ordered ZRP officers to refund the total fine amounting to RTGS$1 000 paid by Precious and Priviledge and directed the law enforcement agents to compile a docket and bring the twin sisters to appear in court for a proper hearing and determination of their matter of which they were acquitted by Magistrate Muzhingi on Tuesday. 

-ZLHR

By A Correspondent- A 64-year-old man from Silungidzi village in Matopo district who was knocked down by Zimbabwe’s Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s driver while cycling in 2018 is pleading with the top judge to compensate him for his damaged bicycle and medical expenses he incurred.

Herosi Moyo was cycling from a shopping centre in Tshapo village and was about to reach his homestead, when he was hit by the speeding car in December 2018.

Moyo’s mangled bicycle was taken by the chief justice’s driver for repairs.

But almost three years later, Moyo has not received compensation for his damaged bicycle.

In an interview with CITE at his homestead on Tuesday, Moyo pleaded with Chief Justice Malaba to return his bicycle as he had bought it using his pension funds.

-CITE

By A Correspondent-Chief Justice Luke Malaba is said to have run over a cyclist and was never arraigned before the courts of law.

This was revealed by former Higher Education Minister Johnathan Moyo on one of his favourite social media platforms, Tweeter on Wednesday.

“ In Dec 2018 Chief Justice Malaba’s car, with him & his wife in it, ran over & critically injured Herosi Moyo who was cycling close to his home in Matopo & Malaba swept the as yet unresolved case under the carpet, until it was uncovered by 

@zenzele

today!https://m.facebook.com/CITEZW/videos/876612522899101/” he posted.

In Dec 2018 Chief Justice Malaba's car, with him & his wife in it, ran over & critically injured Herosi Moyo who was cycling close to his home in Matopo & Malaba swept the as yet unresolved case under the carpet, until it was uncovered by @zenzele today!https://t.co/aKAsLBVYD3 pic.twitter.com/kB4UmWFLFe

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) April 7, 2021

A 42-YEAR-OLD man from Brunapeg in Mangwe district, Matabeleland South province has been arrested after he killed his brother for trying to restrain him from assaulting their mother.

Thabani Moyo of Fanyana Moyo’s homestead New Line 1 in Brunapeg, killed his younger brother Jonathan Moyo (40) on Wednesday last week.

Matabeleland South police provincial spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident that has left villagers shell shocked.

“I can confirm that we have arrested one Thabani Moyo in connection with a murder case where he is reported to have killed his younger brother.

“The circumstances are that on March 31 at around 8pm, Jonathan Moyo was asleep when the accused came from Brunapeg Business Centre where he was drinking. Upon arrival, the accused found his mother in the kitchen and threatened to kill her over an undisclosed issue,” said Insp Mangena.

Sensing danger, the mother fled to a nearby bush and Jonathan who was asleep was woken up by the noise.

According to witnesses, Jonathan tried to restrain Thabani who then stabbed him on the neck and back and he died on the spot.- Chronicle

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has taken the Citizens’ Convergence programme to Bvukururu area, Zaka District, Masvingo Province.

Bvukururu is a remote area that has been neglected for years by the Zanu PF regime.

President Chamisa took note of the plight of villagers in the area.

“I’m in Bvukururu, Zaka. It’s so refreshing to listen to citizen voices here and see how Zimbabweans are converging, so determined to see real change and a New Zimbabwe.

Many are concerned but strong. Harvesting, bad roads and persecution of Citizens and Opposition leaders topical,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

Zanu PF Cannot Stop People’s Revolution

6 April 2021

By Ben Manyenyeni

The Smash ‘n Grab attacks on the MDC Alliance has focused on asset grab, theft of elected mandates and a handful of defections.

One thing the attackers should have seized is the war-cry, the party’s anthemic slogan CHINJA MAITIRO – GUQULA IZENZO.

It is such a credible creed, biblical indeed, for our failed State which has an arrogant record of doing wrong things at worst, or right things wrongly, at best.

We have a government that has spent 41 years battling with the “how part” – even when they try to do a few good things.

They are stealing the wrong ingredients for recovery.

Maitiro!!

Chaos in central Harare…

By James Gwati- Chiredzi’s Chilonga villagers have turned to the opposition MDC-Alliance’s deputy president and human rights lawyer, Tendai Biti for protection from members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation, CIO who are threatening them.

The disgruntled villagers on Wednesday rushed to Biti’s law firm after Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister, Ezra Chadzamira and CIOs threatened them and forced them to attend a Zanu PF meeting tomorrow.

“We have received yet another distress call from our clients in Chilonga , Chiredzi.Provincial Minister Ezra Chadzamira &CIO are forcing marching village heads to a meeting tomorrow at Mtomani Ward 6 Chilonga.The community is now fear stricken amid attempt to manufacture consent,” posted Biti on Wednesday.

We have received yet another distress call from our clients in Chilonga , Chiredzi.Provincial Minister Ezra Chadzamira &CIO are forcing marching village heads to a meeting tomorrow at Mtomani Ward 6 Chilonga.The community is now fear stricken amid attempt to manufacture consent pic.twitter.com/QT2VcqqVoE

— Tendai Biti Law (@BitiLawChambers) April 7, 2021

By James Gwati-Villagers in Chiredzi’s Chilonga villager said they have been threatened by Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister, Ezra Chadzamira if they fail to attend a Zanu PF meeting tomorrow.

The disgruntled villagers have since engaged a human rights lawyer, Tendai Biti, whom they want to protect them from Chadzamira’s threats.

On his law firm Twitter handle, Biti said they are worried by the harassment of the villagers.

“We have received yet another distress call from our clients in Chilonga , Chiredzi. Provincial Minister Ezra Chadzamira &CIO are forcing marching village heads to a meeting tomorrow at Mtomani Ward 6 Chilonga. The community is now fear-stricken amid attempt to manufacture consent,” posted Biti on Wednesday.

We have received yet another distress call from our clients in Chilonga , Chiredzi.Provincial Minister Ezra Chadzamira &CIO are forcing marching village heads to a meeting tomorrow at Mtomani Ward 6 Chilonga.The community is now fear stricken amid attempt to manufacture consent pic.twitter.com/QT2VcqqVoE

— Tendai Biti Law (@BitiLawChambers) April 7, 2021

By James Gwati-Communities in Tsholotsho have expressed concern over suggestions by the government that they will soon rope in soldiers to speed up the second phase of the COVID-19 mass vaccination programme.

This was revealed by villagers who attended a Conflict Analysis and Resilient Assessment meeting conducted by Heal Zimbabwe Trust, Tsholotsho last week

Participants highlighted that community members remained fearful of soldiers due to their role in Gukurahundi massacres that affected the District between 1983 and 1987.

”If reports that soldiers are going to lead the vaccination programme in phase 2 of the vaccination programme are true, then it is doomed to fail. We are very fearful of soldiers given that they killed thousands of people here during the Gukurahundi massacres. No one will take the vaccine if it is being administered by soldiers”, said one participant.

Participants also noted that the failure by the government to initiate a robust healing and reconciliation process to address Gukurahundi has created animosity between members of the security services and community members.

“Today if I see a soldier walking, it evokes memories of our people who were killed by members of the Fifth Brigade during Gukurahundi and telling us to get vaccinated by the same soldiers is very disrespectful and inconsiderate on the part of the government,” said another participant.

The meetings by Heal Zimbabwe are part of efforts to empower local communities to help safeguard against human rights abuse and also help build peaceful communities.

Heal Zimbabwe utilizes various strategies to address conflicts in local communities.

One of these ways is the use of community dialogues, an initiative for communities to discuss and collectively identify ways through which they can proffer solutions to problems in their communities.

By James Gwati-A Magistrate has acquitted two Mutare residents Precious and Priviledge Gwatidzo, who are twin sisters, after they stood trial on charges of unnecessary movement during the national lockdown period imposed by government in 2020 in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Precious and Priviledge aged 30 years, had been on trial since 7 December 2020 before Magistrate Audrey Muzhingi after they were arrested by some Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on 12 April 2020 in Mutare’s Dangamvura high-density suburb and accused of violating some national lockdown regulations when they were found outside their home instead of confining themselves to their residences.

While detained by ZRP officers, Precious and Priviledge were harassed and denied access to sanitary wear.

During trial, prosecutor Chris Munyuki told Magistrate Muzhingi that ZRP officers who were on patrol enforcing the national lockdown regulations which restricted unnecessary movement of people except those exempted, intercepted the twin sisters who reportedly failed to produce some exemption letters authorising them to be in Dangamvura suburb.

Munyuki claimed that Precious and Priviledge had acted unlawfully by failing to produce exemption letters to ZRP officers.

But in their defence, Precious and Priviledge, who were represented by Moses Chikomo of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), argued that it was essential for them to move around sourcing for some prescribed medication at a pharmacy for their grandmother, who was chronically ill, hence they were exempted from confining themselves at their residence.

The twin sisters also argued that when they were arrested by ZRP officers they had in their possession a supporting letter from their local Councillor confirming that they had an ailing member of the family who needed urgent medication.

On Tuesday, Magistrate Muzhingi found Precious and Priviledge not guilty and acquitted them.

Earlier on in July 2020, Mutare Magistrate Sheila Nazombe overturned the conviction of Precious and Priviledge after Chikomo successfully challenged the decision by some ZRP members who ordered them to pay RTGS$500 each as fine for unnecessary movement during the national lockdown period.

In her ruling, Magistrate Nazombe stated that she was satisfied that the plea of guilty entered by Precious and Priviledge when they were arrested in April 2020 was equivocal.

Magistrate Nazombe then ordered ZRP officers to refund the total fine amounting to RTGS$1 000 paid by Precious and Priviledge and directed the law enforcement agents to compile a docket and bring the twin sisters to appear in court for a proper hearing and determination of their matter of which they were acquitted by Magistrate Muzhingi on Tuesday. 

-ZLHR

By A Correspondent- A Mutare Magistrate on Tuesday 6 April 2021 acquitted two Mutare residents Precious and Priviledge Gwatidzo, who are twin sisters, after they stood trial on charges of unnecessary movement during the national lockdown period imposed by government in 2020 in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Precious and Priviledge aged 30 years, had been on trial since 7 December 2020 before Mutare Magistrate Audrey Muzhingi after they were arrested by some Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on 12 April 2020 in Mutare’s Dangamvura high-density suburb and accused of violating some national lockdown regulations when they were found outside their home instead of confining themselves to their residences.

While detained by ZRP officers, Precious and Priviledge were harassed and denied access to sanitary wear. During trial, prosecutor Chris Munyuki told Magistrate Muzhingi that ZRP officers who were on patrol enforcing the national lockdown regulations which restricted unnecessary movement of people except those exempted, intercepted the twin sisters who reportedly failed to produce some exemption letters authorising them to be in Dangamvura suburb.

Munyuki claimed that Precious and Priviledge had acted unlawfully by failing to produce exemption letters to ZRP officers.But in their defence, Precious and Priviledge, who were represented by Moses Chikomo of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), argued that it was essential for them to move around sourcing for some prescribed medication at a pharmacy for their grandmother, who was chronically ill, hence they were exempted from confining themselves at their residence.

The twin sisters also argued that when they were arrested by ZRP officers they had in their possession a supporting letter from their local Councillor confirming that they had an ailing member of the family who needed urgent medication.On Tuesday 6 April 2021, Magistrate Muzhingi found Precious and Priviledge not guilty and acquitted them.

Earlier on in July 2020, Mutare Magistrate Sheila Nazombe overturned the conviction of Precious and Priviledge after Chikomo successfully challenged the decision by some ZRP members who ordered them to pay RTGS$500 each as fine for unnecessary movement during the national lockdown period.In her ruling,

Magistrate Nazombe stated that she was satisfied that the plea of guilty entered by Precious and Priviledge when they were arrested in April 2020 was equivocal.Magistrate Nazombe then ordered ZRP officers to refund the total fine amounting to RTGS$1 000 paid by Precious and Priviledge and directed the law enforcement agents to compile a docket and bring the twin sisters to appear in court for a proper hearing and determination of their matter of which they were acquitted by Magistrate Muzhingi on Tuesday 6 April 2021.

////ENDS

April 7, 2021 

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition is concerned by the wanton disregard of the people’s will by the ruling party, Zanu PF which has embarked on a campaign to amend the constitution, adopted in 2013, before its full implementation.

On April 6, 2021, the Constitutional Amendment Bill (Number 1) passed through the Senate after it was submitted for the second time.

The Bill, through amendments to Section 180 of the constitution, gives the President powers to appoint the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and the Judge President in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission.

In essence, the Bill erodes the previous constitutional provision to subject the process of appointments of the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and the Judge President to public scrutiny and interviews.

The Bill essentially gives the President the discretion to choose his preferred candidates for appointment.

This works against judicial independence and goes against the principles of rule of law, separation of powers and transparency in government processes.

The Bill is thus an attempt to consolidate authoritarian rule through judicial capture and therefore merely seeks to serve the interests of ruling party politicians at the expense of the will of the majority who voted for the constitution in 2013.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition stands firmly against constitutional amendments before full implementation of the constitution adopted in 2013. Amending the constitution before implementation amounts to amputation.

The constitutional amendments are a real threat to civic and political rights and are part of machinations by the ruling party, Zanu PF to create a one party state in which they have sole authority to determine the governance of the country.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition is disturbed by the fact that through constitutional amendments, ruling party officials have exhibited a tendency to retain political power at the expense of the will of the people.

We implore the government to abide by the tenets of constitutional democracy and uphold the will of the people. Respect for the constitution is a fundamental pillar of a democratic society.

We further implore the ruling party, Zanu PF to desist from abusing its parliamentary majority to amend the constitution against the will of the people who voted overwhelmingly for the adoption of the constitution in 2013.

ENDS//

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has taken the Citizens’ Convergence programme to Bvukururu area, Zaka District, Masvingo Province.

Bvukururu is a remote area that has been neglected for years by the Zanu PF regime.

President Chamisa took note of the plight of villagers in the area.

“I’m in Bvukururu, Zaka. It’s so refreshing to listen to citizen voices here and see how Zimbabweans are converging, so determined to see real change and a New Zimbabwe.

Many are concerned but strong. Harvesting, bad roads and persecution of Citizens and Opposition leaders topical,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

An Odzi cultist is staying in a sacred mountain with his family and denying his children access to education, social life, health care and proper housing.

The family of six includes Ringisai Manjeese and his wife Therieza Mawoyo, as well as their four children aged 15, nine, six and two.

Since November 2020, the Manjeeses have been calling the Urase Mountain in Katsunzuma Village their home.

Forty-nine-year old Manjeese claims that on countless occasions, God instructed him to move to the mountain.

Manjeese and his family are staying in a very small one-roomed plastic shack on the Urase Mountain.

There are no clean water and ablution facilities at the site.

When The Manica Post visited the family last Saturday, it was clear that Manjeese’s word rules within his small cult.

When he instructed his family to sing, his wife and children promptly belted out some songs.

He then shouted that it was time to pray and everyone in the family quickly dropped on their knees for prayer.

Manjeese and his wife claim that they live on the principles of the Bible, which they have christened their own ‘constitution.’

Unfortunately, this has seen their children dropping out of school.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe clearly states that every citizen has a right to basic education.

The couple’s 15-year-old daughter is supposed to be in Form Three, while the nine-year-old must be in Grade four. The youngest should have been in Grade One but has never set foot at school.

She can neither read nor write.

Her elder sisters last went to school in 2019, but have since dropped out because “the Lord said so”, at least according to Manjeese.

Manjeese confidently says all will be well with his daughters as “my wife and l also did not receive any formal education”.

“I dropped out of school while doing Grade Four.

“The same applies to my wife.

‘It is not because our parents could not afford to send us to school, but God’s calls made us do so,” he said.

“The constitution is all about people who are living in the flesh, but my family and I are leading a spiritual life.

“We use the Bible as our constitution. “My children will not go to school until the Lord says so.

“We do not lack anything and I do not think I will change my mind before God changes His,” said Manjeese, claiming that he is in direct contact with God.

His wife chipped in.

“Our nine-year-old child died on her way from school after we had not listened to God. We ignored this warning and continued leading our ‘wayward’ lives.

“The angel of death struck again and we lost another child who was only two years old.

“We then decided to listen to the Lord’s commandments when our little son was bedridden.

“That’s when we moved to this mountain” she said, adding that her youngest son’s life was saved by their decision to move to Urase Mountain.

Manjeese says his family does not need medical attention as “the Holy Spirit takes good care of them”.

“If I had not listened to God and moved my family to this place, we would all be dead by now. At first my father thought I had developed a mental illness, but then accepted my decision to move to this mountain,” he said.

The family used to stay in Chipfatsura Village under Chief Marange.

Manjeese has been summoned to appear before Chief Marange’s court on many occasions, but snubbed the summons.

Chief Marange confirmed the case and said his office is in the process of making a police report.

“He refused to appear before my court. I have sent my aides to look for him, but they couldn’t find him. He hid from them so our next move is to involve the police. No one is supposed to be staying in the mountains, particularly our sacred Urase Mountain,” said Chief Marange.

Manjeese’s former school teacher, Mr Simon Gorowa, said it is disturbing that he (Manjeese) is denying his children their right to education when he dropped out of school by choice.

“It is totally unacceptable that he is staying with those girls in that little shack and denying them their right to education. Honestly, how can a 49-year-old man be sleeping with his wife and daughters in the same room? The authorities need to do something,” said Mr Gorowa.

Director for Hope for Kids Zimbabwe, Mr Misheck Kugoda Mlambo, said Manjeese’s children need urgent assistance as they are being abused by their parents in the name of religion.

“The Government has done well with regards to child care and the provision of education.

“It’s sad that in this modern age, we still have guardians and parents who do not realise the importance of good parenting

“Those children must enjoy their right to education. That is not negotiable. They need to be protected from this abuse,” said Mr Mlambo.

The dread-locked Manjeese makes a living through making shoes from old car tyres.

-ManicaPost

By A Correspondent- The Catholic Church Harare Archdiocese female leader, who was sexually assaulted at the Harare Magistrates Court just after Human Rights Defender, Makomborero Haruzivishe’s sentencing yesterday, Vongai Tome will spend a second night as she awaits trial.

She has been charged with disorderly conduct and contravening COVID regulations. Mrs Vongai Tome was touched inappropriately by a male ZRP cop at the courts yesterday.

Instead of the police officer who assaulted her being arrested, the force moved on to apprehend the victim.

She will appear before the Magistrates Court tomorrow morning at 9am. Another person arrested and charged is Mr. Ngonidzashe Dzapfunda (Youth National Executive member).

WATCH THE LIVE SCENES BELOW

https://youtu.be/zn2uoG81Md0

By A Correspondent | The Catholic Church Harare Archdiocese female leader, who was sexually assaulted at the Harare Magistrates Court just after Human Rights Defender, Makomborero Haruzivishe’s sentencing yesterday, Vongai Tome will spend a second night as she awaits trial.

She has been charged with disorderly conduct and contravening COVID regulations.

Mrs Vongai Tome was touched inappropriately by a male ZRP cop at the courts yesterday.

Instead of the police officer who assaulted her being arrested, the force moved on to apprehend the victim.

Mupurisa akabata zamu raAmai Tome paMagistrate Court – This is the police officer who sexually assaulted Mrs Vongai Tome at the Harare Magistrates Court | CAN YOU TELL US HIS NAME AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARRESTED THE VICTIM @PoliceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/fHjBKBkHGq

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) April 7, 2021

She will appear before the Magistrates Court tomorrow morning at 9am.

Another person arrested and charged is Mr. Ngonidzashe Dzapfunda (Youth National Executive member).

WATCH THE LIVE SCENES BELOW

https://youtu.be/zn2uoG81Md0

Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration on Tuesday shocked the world after sentencing human rights activist and MDC Alliance Youth Assembly member Makomborero Haruvizishe to jail for blowing a whistle.

Makomborero Haruvizishe was sentenced to 14 years in jail by Harare Magistrate Judith Taruvinga.

The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has described the sentencing of Makomborero Haruvizishe as a criminal judgement by a criminal regime:

It’s A Criminal Judgement By A Criminal Regime

06-04-2021

Makomborero Haruzivishe, our Youth Assembly National Executive Committee member and human rights activist was today(Tuesday) sentenced to an effective 14 months in prison by a magistrate court that is now being remote controlled from ZANU PF headquarters.

So outrageous was the outcome from Rotten Row Magistrate Courts that even village courts which are held under trees would have done better in carriage of justice.

The sentencing of Mako does not only induce a sense of shock but confirms the capture of our courts by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s unpopular dictatorship.

Mako was convicted for blowing a whistle and for having resisted arrest by an officer who in court testified that he never attempted to arrest him.

How does a whistle incite violence? What language does that whistle speak which can only be understood by those who arrested and incarcerated Mako?

How on earth does one get convicted for being at a public place where a protest which he had nothing to do with was taking place. They say Mako is not a vendor so he should not have been anywhere near vendors?

How ironic! If this is the basis of arresting citizens then everyone should be in jail as ZANU PF has turned the whole country to an economy of vendors.

At this rate of Kangaroo justice, the regime will fill the prisons to bursting point.

It stinks with deception and capture that the same court that granted freedom to criminals like Obadiah Moyo who stole in excess of US50 million Covid-19 public funds had the audacity to jail Mako for whistle.

This is the same court that was ready to let airport gold smuggler Henrietta Rushwaya walk scot free without opposing bail only to pull an about turn following a public outcry.

We have every reason to question the probity and independence of a court that let free criminals like Priscah Mupfimira who stole millions of public funds.

True to Mnangagwa’s “we are everything” rants, we are now dealing with an extension of ZANU PF at Rotten Row Magistrate Courts.

Let it be known that the arrest and incarceration of Mako will not deter us but fuel our desire for change as young people.

We are Mako too and Mako is us!

A regime that disrespects rights of its citizens must know no peace.

The worst form of incitement of violence is jailing of a young activist for speaking to issues that appeal to masses.

We will not rest until justice for Mako is served!

DefyOrDie

Agenda2021

CitizensConvergenceForChange

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

By A Correspondent- The Sanzaguru community in Makoni was left with more questions than answers following a bizarre incident in which five schoolchildren were allegedly waylaid, injected with an unknown substance and given sweets by strangers — resulting in one of them collapsing and being rushed to hospital.

The suspects fled into nearby maize fields after the other victims from Sanzaguru Primary School screamed for help following the collapsing of their colleague.

The victim, whose identity cannot be revealed as she is still a minor, was rushed to Rusape General Hospital for admission. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon.

Makoni District Medical Officer, Dr Tendai Nyafesa, was not readily available for a comment as he was not picking up calls.

However, The Manica Post has gathered that authorities at the hospital were keen to examine the other victims.

An investigation has been launched to trace the fugitives and establish the kind of substance they administered on the children as well as their motive.

Makoni District police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Muzondiwa Clean, said the pupils were returning from school when they were approached by five unknown women who allegedly told them that they wanted to vaccinate them against Covid-19. They also promised to ‘‘reward’’ the children with sweets.

The children allegedly fell for the trick and were injected with an unknown substance and given sweets, after which one of them collapsed.

“The suspects lured the kids by promising to give them sweets. The pupils were then injected with an unknown substance. The other kids then panicked and screamed for help after one of them collapsed, and the accused persons disappeared into the maize fields,” said Assistant Inspector Clean.

He said investigations are in progress to establish the kind of substance that was administered on the young girls.

“We are appealing for information leading to the arrest of the accused persons. Parents and teachers should discourage their children from entertaining and accepting gifts from strangers,” he said.

Assistant Inspector Clean said the accused person’s conduct was in violation of Section 89 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23 — which makes assault with aggravated circumstance a punishable offence. Sanzaguru Primary School headmaster, Mr Maxwell Mutudza, said the school was shocked by the incident.

“I have not come across the children myself. We are yet to get the other children’s versions. We are worried about the motive of these people and why they are targeting young children,” said Mr Mutudza.

-ManicaPost

By A Correspondent- United Kingdom based socialite and businesswoman Olinda Chapel Nkomo has given Zimbabwean blogs a 24 hours ultimatum to either delete their articles suggesting that her husband Tytan was contemplating suicide or face her lawyers.

Over the Easter weekend social media was flooded with reports that singer Tytan real name Njabulo Nkomo was contemplating suicide as his marriage to Olinda was crumbling down.

As part of his mental health campaign the Mukoko crooner posted cryptic Instastories which were symptoms of a suicidal person.

“I need a break from reliving trauma, No one cares if I’m alive. I’m such a burden my loved ones would be better off without me. I want to stop suffering. What’s the point of continuing? I need a break from living,” read one of Tytan’s posts.

His posts sparked the spread of news that the singer had hit rock bottom and the only way out was by committing suicide.

Fed up about the rumors, Olinda took to social media slamming bloggers for ruining people’s lives.

In a statement released on her Facebook page, Olinda threatened to unleash her lawyers on those who will not take down the articles in the next 24 hours.

“Zimbabwean media can be a joke at times. Do you ever think how your so-called ‘articles’ affect people’s daily lives? Never at any point did my husband say he is suicidal or dealing with mental health problems. As a public figure he is a brand ambassador and creative for Nala Project which is a mental health charity,” read part of her statement.

She continued, “For those media houses that have written false articles and made false representations of this. You have 24hrs to take your falsehoods down or we will unleash our lawyers on you and good luck proving your stories as facts to a judge. This is defamation of Character and we are not having it.

“Far too long we have allowed false narratives to be peddled in our names just for click bait!”

Olinda and Tytan have on different occasions made headlines for having problems in their marriage. In 2020 they had a nasty break up when Tytan publicly broke down into tears accusing Olinda of abusing him. They have since made up and appear to be happy.

By A Correspondent- Primary and Secondary Education deputy minister Edgar Moyo on Monday said the government is working hard to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in schools as happened when classes resumed in late 2020.

Last year, about 500 pupils were infected with COVID-19 at various schools — including John Tallach in Bulawayo and Chinhoyi High School in Mashonaland West.

Speaking during an interview with the Daily News on Monday, Moyo said the government is making sure that schools follow World Health Organisation (WHO) regulations.

He said:

We are hopeful that last year’s situation will not repeat itself. We are doing our best to make sure students continue learning. We want schools to limit the spread of COVID-19.

This is a national issue and it must not be isolated. We must work together to make sure that our learners are safe.

This comes after Prince Edward High School in Harare and Dove Secondary School in Mberengwa have recorded COVID-19 cases.

46 confirmed new COVID-19 cases involving learners, educators and non-teaching staff have been recorded in Harare and Mberengwa after schools opened for face-to-face lessons on 15 March.

Prince Edward High School initially reported seven COVID-19 cases last week after all its boarding pupils had undergone tests at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.

A total of 32 Prince Edward learners are currently quarantined, while the staff members are self-isolating at home.

The government barred learners from travelling back to their homes during this past Easter holiday in a move meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus.-DailyNews

Zimbabwe’s first Constitutional Amendment Bill under the new Constitution sailed through Senate when it was submitted for a second time.

During voting, at least 70 Senators voted for its passage while only one voted against it.

If signed into law by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the amendment will give the president powers to appoint the Chief Justice, the Deputy Chief Justice and the Judge President.

The Bill was initially passed in August 2017, but the Constitutional Court nullified the process leading to its passage saying the procedure was not in conformity with provisions of the Constitution.

The Court directed that Senate restart the process and gave the Senate the guidelines within which to pass it.

After voting and counting, Senate President Mabel Chinomona confirmed the results and said the number of Senators who voted for the Bill was more than two-thirds of the number.

She said:

I, therefore, declare that the final votes of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (Number 1) have been in accordance with Section 328 of the Constitution.

In 2017 the main opposition, the MDC-T’s Senators opposed the passing of the Bill. The party was led by the late Morgan Tsvangirai at the time.

However, the Supreme Court reconstituted MDC-T expelled MDC Alliance legislators from Parliament and replaced them with its own MPs who had lost in the 2018 general elections.

More: The Herald

Police in Bulawayo have urged members of the public to desist from boarding  Mushikashika motor vehicles after a woman was gang-raped by four men at The Bulawayo Provincial Heroes Acre.

The four men also robbed a man who, alongside the woman, had boarded their pirating silver Honda CRV vehicle on Monday night.

Bulawayo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube on Tuesday said a manhunt had been launched for the suspects. He said:

Police in Bulawayo are investigating a case of robbery and rape which occurred on April 5 around 8 PM.

The two complainants boarded a Silver Honda CRV registration number unknown at corner 6th avenue and Lobengula Street, Bulawayo intending to go to Cowdray Park.

The car had four men including the driver. The driver drove along Luveve road as if he was proceeding to Cowdray Park.

At the intersection of Luveve Road and Masiyephambili Drive, the driver turned left instead of right and drove for about 100 meters before turning into a bush near Mbeki Hill.

One of the suspects brandished an okapi knife and robbed complaint one (51) of his Mobicel cellphone, US$20, R10 and 10kg mealie meal.

Complainant Two (31) was robbed of her sling bag with $50, US$2, a shopping bag containing rulers, hair combs and rat killer pesticides.

The accused persons then drove along Market Road, Kelvin Industrial Area, Bulawayo where they dumped complainant number one.

From there they drove to Nkulumane Provincial Heroes Acre together with complainant number 2 where three of the accused persons took turns to rape her in the motor vehicle.

After raping the complainant, the accused persons drove back to Kelvin Industrial Area where they dumped her.

The matter was reported at Western Commonage Police Station and complainant number 2 was referred to Mpilo Central Hospital for medical examination.

More: Chronicle

On World Health Day, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) calls upon state actors and non-sate actors to commemorate the right to good health by joining the World Health Organisation (WHO) in calling for the acceleration of the manufacture and equitable rollout of vaccines in every country.

World Health Day is observed every year on 7 April to highlight the shared global vision of a fairer world in which everyone has access to quality healthcare.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has revealed the stark global inequality that exists with regards to access to quality healthcare. High-income countries that have robust healthcare systems, despite being harshly affected by COVID-19, have been able to respond to the pandemic
through the manufacture and speedy rollout of vaccines. In contrast, low-income nations with vulnerable less resilient health systems, have borne the brunt of the suffering caused by the pandemic.

This inequity of health outcomes highlights the need for all nations to cooperate on the manufacture of vaccines and their distribution to all persons across the globe as soon as possible. The attainment of a society that is fairer and healthier is dependent on this collaboration of all nations in the fight against COVID-19.

This year, WHO is calling for the acceleration of vaccine equity for all healthcare workers and those who are at highest risk of contracting COVID-19. According to WHO, the best way to end the pandemic, stop future variants, save lives and limit the spread of the
virus is to vaccinate quickly and equitably, starting with healthcare workers.

Healthcare workers have been at the forefront of the pandemic since its beginning and they remain disproportionately exposed to the virus in comparison to other population groups. Therefore, inclusive vaccination of all healthcare workers is necessary for the prevention of the spread of the virus to the rest of the population.

WHO’s campaign to accelerate the vaccination of healthcare workers and vulnerable groups, such as older people, is titled #VaccinEquity. The campaign calls on everyone to urge global, national and local leaders to ensure that vaccines are equitably distributed in every country. In addition, private companies are being urged to play their part in ensuring that COVID-19 vaccination is accelerated globally in order to ensure that underlying global inequalities do not hinder the attainment of the vision of a healthier society in which everyone has access to quality healthcare.

The #VaccineEquity call to action can be fulfilled through donations and support for COVAX and the ACT Accelerator, which are global partnerships designed to accelerate the development, production and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines.

Moreover, Ministries of Health are urged to invest in their primary health care systems for distribution of vaccines and governments are implored to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are distributed for free and without discrimination to all healthcare workers and especially vulnerable groups as a matter of priority.

The campaign also discourages nations from engaging in vaccine nationalism and encourages high levels of collaboration in the manufacture and distribution of vaccines.

Section 76 (1) and 76 (2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe states that every Zimbabwean citizen and permanent resident has the right to have access to basic healthcare and that the State must take reasonable legislative and other measures to achieve the progressive realisation of this right.

In the context of COVID-19, the right to healthcare extends to access to comprehensive information on the virus. In April 2020, ZLHR obtained an order that compelled the state actors to release updates on COVID-19, information on testing and treatment centres and information on plans and strategies that were being adopted by the state to combat the pandemic. The order also compelled the state actors to provide Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) to frontline healthcare workers.

On this World Health Day, ZLHR calls upon:

o       State actors and non-sate actors to commemorate the right to good health by joining the World Health Organisation (WHO) in calling for the acceleration of the manufacture and equitable rollout of vaccines in every country.

o       Global, national and local leaders to ensure that vaccines are distributed everywhere.

o       Companies to play their part in pushing for an acceleration in the manufacture and distribution of vaccines globally.

o       State actors and non-state actors to donate to or support COVAX and Act Accelerator.

o       Nations to desist from engaging in vaccine nationalism.

o       Manufacturers to share knowledge and vaccines with COVAX and ACT Accelerator in order to expedite the manufacture and distribution of vaccines.

o       The Zimbabwean government to fulfil its obligation to take reasonable legislative and other measures to progressively realise the right to healthcare of all Zimbabweans and permanent residents.

-ZLHR

ZAPU RSA Province Solidarity statement to victims of political persecutions and suppression @zapursa1961 #FreeMako #FreeJoana #FreeCecilia pic.twitter.com/dNnX6FBeKF

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) April 7, 2021

I hold the view that :
The Zaka/Bvukururu tweet is WRONG.The message might be right but the timing isn't ! The Nation & world is focusing on @MakomboreroH"s incarceration. Thus, it materializes the(fallacy) that Party Activists/HRD"s are on their own.Silence was Golden #FreeMako

— Takudzwa Ngadziore (@ngadziore) April 7, 2021

By A Correspondent- Over 140 000 workers in the transport sector in the capital lost their jobs owing to measures put in place by the government to curtail the Covid-19 pandemic, the secretary-general of Greater Harare Commuter Omnibus Association (GHACO), Ngoni Katsvairo has said.

Katsvairo told the media recently that 49 000 kombis, each employing a driver, conductor and a tout, were banished by the government from operating in Harare as a way to curb the spread of Covid-19.

“There were 50 000 kombis in Harare, about 49 000 have been parked for more than a year now. As a result, many livelihoods were affected,” Katsvairo said.

He added that as a result of the measures GHACO members had lost US$12, 8 million since the beginning of the national lockdown in March last due to the banishment of their kombis by the government.

Katsvairo has appealed to the government to make it possible for commuter omnibus operators to earn a living legally and improve the transport situation in the city of Harare.

“A majority of people in retirement had invested their savings in commuter omnibus transport businesses.

“At present, if a kombi under Zupco cashes in $15 000 per day, they are paid $4 000 in addition to the fuel of $4 000. The remainder of $7 000 should be channelled towards the maintenance of the vehicles but it’s not happening,” Katsvairo said.

“Some are suffering silently because they cannot air out their voices and it is really sad.

“The government should also realise that the absence of kombis has worsened the transport situation in Harare, operators affiliated with Zupco face challenges of delay in payment and in the end, they won’t be able to service their vehicles.

“Following Covid-19, commuter omnibus operators were ordered to operate under Zupco. Zupco has less than 500 kombis affiliated to it down from 12 000 before the onset of Covid-19-induced lockdown,” said Katsvairo.

Katsvairo said commuter omnibus operators were weighed down by expensive licence costs imposed by the government and other costs which have forced some operators to commute illegally.

“An operator’s licence costs $10 000, after that, one goes to register the kombi as a passenger service vehicle. The white-on-red vehicle registration plates cost $6 000, the cost of replacing tyres on most of the Japanese-imported vehicles is $48 000 while fixing the suspension chews $20 000,” Katsvairo added.

Despite the ban of kombis by the government, Katsvairo claimed that some kombis owned by powerful people are still operating.

“The shocking thing is that some kombis are still operating and they pass through police roadblocks without being arrested and if they are arrested the owners will just order the police to release the vehicles.

“These people already have money to feed their families yet they deny others to do the same for their families and many are languishing in poverty because of that,” said Katsvairo.-dailynews

By A Correspondent- The body of a 26 year old woman – Nkosingiphile “Kiki” Msomi from KwaDabeka, west of Durban – was found stuffed into two garbage bags along a busy road on Thursday.

She was reported missing on Sunday, 28 March after she didn’t come back from a party she’d attended the previous night.

The party was said to have been held at the home of her boyfriend.

Her family told Daily Sun they don’t understand why the police haven’t arrested him already. They believe all the information they’ve given them is sufficient for them to make an arrest.

The sister-in-law of the deceased, Sanelisiwe Bhengu, said on Sunday the boyfriend came and told them Kiki is missing.

“We asked him why he thought she was missing because we, including himself, knew that Kiki was a people’s person who’d disappear for several days to live with a friend,” said Sanelisiwe.

She said the boyfriend came on Monday, 29 March again and told them a certain girl told him Kiki had been killed.

“We asked him if he tried to interrogate the girl about what she was telling him. He said no. We further asked him if he took her particulars. He said no,” said Sanelisiwe.

The third day he came, on 30 March, he said we needed to know he was not the one who killed Kiki.

“We asked him again who said he killed her. We also asked him what made him so sure Kiki was dead. Again he didn’t have an answer,” she said.

She said one the family’s men decided on Wednesday, 31 March to go to the home of the boyfriend to ask him to relay once again whatever information he had about Kiki’s disappearance.

“When he saw them coming he sped off in a friend’s car. He left behind his uncle, who was busy taking clothes off the washing line. Our relatives noticed that among clothes the uncle was carrying were Kiki’s clothes as well.

“They forcibly took them from him, only to discover one pair of jeans and one shirt had bloodstains that looked as if they were too stubborn to come out during washing,” said Sanelisiwe.

She said the uncle failed to answer when asked about the bloodied clothes.

“We then decided we needed to report this information to the police,” said Sanelisiwe.

Colonel Thembeka Mbele asked the family to be patient.

“We’re aware of all the information they’ve brought to the police and we’ve noted it down,” said Mbele.

“We believe it’s going to assist the police during the investigation, but we urge the family to take a back seat and be patient while police are busy doing their work.”

— DailySun